When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:26)
Ananias to Paul. Paul to Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla to Apollos.
Paul may have had his Damascus Road experience, but Ananias was a pivotal part in his own development. So Paul received something from Ananias.
Chapter 18 of Acts shows the remarkable relational relaying of the mission from one to another. In Corinth Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, they are encouraged in the faith in their ongoing relations with Paul.
Later, Paul, Aquila and Priscilla move to Ephesus. Paul then leaves the couple to go about his business of being here and there sharing the gospel and strengthening the disciples. Meanwhile Aquila and Priscilla notice Apollos. As their relationship with Paul gave them gospel insight and development, so they took Apollos under their wing for him to gain some gospel insight.
Apollos embraces this and with this under his belt he is even more effective and focussed on the fullness of the gospel in Jesus Christ. Such is his passion that he is then released to go out and about strengthening disciples elsewhere. It would be no surprise if he passed on what he received to others who would then pass on what they received to others.
The method of doing it was not a formal academic course structure of attending classes, listening to monologues and passing written tests. The forum for development was in the commitment to sharing life together – whether it was in tent-making as was the case with Paul to Aquila and Priscilla; or the time aside in the home as Aquila and Priscilla did to Apollos. It’s words in action, it’s the all encompassing nature of the gospel. It’s the news that you pass on through any and every means available.
It’s instructive for how we recognise the presence of God in our lives and how we look after the good news.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 